All Blacks Set To Blood New Talent

Former Wales coaches Graham Henry and Streve Hansen will be blooding some new talent when they bring a 32-strong New Zealand squad to Europe in November.

No fewer than eight of the players are uncapped - Steve Bates, Jimmy Cowan, Jerome Kaino, Casey Laulala, Luke McAlister, Conrad Smith, Saimone Taumoepeau and Piri Weepu. Their inclusion is down to impressive form in the Air New Zealand NPC Tournament.

Henry and Hansen have also given recalls to Corey Flynn, Norm Maxwell, Ma'a Nonu, Anton Oliver and Rodney So'oialo., while they have decided to either drop or rest 11 players used during the Tri-Nations series this year.

Star half-back pair Justin Marshall and Carlos Spencer are left behind, no doubt to prepare for the series against the British and irish Lions at the end of the season, and record points scorer Andrew mehrtens is also given a break.

Henry emphasised that the decision to leave behind experienced players such as Mehrtens and Marshall had not been taken lightly.

'We're excited by the talent that has come through in the NPC and we are looking to utilise that potential to build depth in key areas that will position the All Blacks well for the challenges in 2005 and beyond,' Henry said. 'The tour is significant as it offers us a tremendous platform going into 2005 and what will be one of the biggest years ever in All Black rugby history with three extremely challenging series starting with the British and Irish Lions.

'We need to establish a solid base in terms of performance and selection options and the matches against Italy, Wales, France and the Barbarians offer us every opportunity to do that.'

Mike Ruddock's Welsh side tackle the All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday 20 November 2004.

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